Spotlight: Black Economic Power

In the wake of the 2016 police killing of Philando Castille, Twin Cities residents formed the community organization Blexit to cultivate the practice of economic civil resistance. Over the course of several community meetings, Blexit members prioritized a campaign focusing on Black banking and, in late 2016, formed the Association for Black Economic Power (ABEP).

In partnership with the Jay & Rose Phillip Family Foundation, ABEP is establishing a federally chartered Black-led credit union by 2019. They have begun the process of securing pledges from people to hold their money at the credit union. Founding member Me'Lea Connelly (above center) says the response has been “really amazing, seeing as how we started last February.”

The ABEPMN.org website is accepting pledges and invites ambassadors to host pledge-drive gatherings at homes and workplaces.